An Exploration of Tone and Vibrato on the Flute in relation to the French Flute School of the Early Twentieth Century

Abstract

Developing and improving sound quality on the flute is one of the fundamental areas of study for all flautists and vibrato is a key issue with regards to this. The flautists associated with the French Flute School mark a turning point in the history of flute playing and through studying historical recordings it is possible to hear the legacy they left behind. This thesis combines a study of these recordings with my own experimentations of vibrato and sound and results in three of my own recordings of the works discussed, (Gaubert’s Madrigal; “Entr’acte” to Act III of Bizet’s Carmen; and an excerpt from Brahms’ Symphony No. 4) with detailed considerations about both the process and the result.